Metal coating apparatus



Jan. 2, 1951 F. c. BRIGHTLY, JR 2,536,720

- METAL COATING APPARATUS Filed March 2'7, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l mmF'redgrick C. 7 BmghtIq,cJr. MW @350 W4 4 4p.

F. c. BRIGHTLY, JR 2,536,720

METAL COATING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1946 '5 Sheets$heet 2 w Z i T QE I Frederick c. Irightlumjr. d @4400, 62;, MM K 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 \W bM. m

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METAL comma APPARATUS Filed March 27. 1946 Frederiqk C. Bri

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METAL comma APPARATUS Filed marchz'r, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Frederick C.BrighUq,Jv. 2 28 44%, @w, W k

' (flTTonuNEY Jan. 2, 1951 Filed March 27, 1946 F. c. BRIGHTLY, JR

METAL COATING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 III II WW Frederick- C.

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TTOQ-NEW Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE METALCOATING APPARATUS Frederick o. Brightly, Jr., Oak Park, 111.

Application March 27, 1946, Serial No. 657,537

5 Claims. (Cl. 212-131) The present invention relates generally toimprovements in metal coating apparatus, and has particular reference toa new and improved apparatus for coating metals'by the hot dip process,as, for example, for galvanizing, tinning and lead coating.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a,novel metal coating apparatus which greatly reduces the arduous manuallabor that is normally required, and which affords a uniform andflexible control of the operation.

Another object is to provide a new and improved metal coating apparatusin which the material to be galvanized is translated from station tostation, and elevated and lowered by power means, thereby permitting theuse of large baskets for handling the material, and utilization Anotherobject is to provide a new and imr the electrical operating and controlcircuits of proved metal coating apparatus which carries outautomatically those steps of the operation that are most hazardous whenperformed manually, which greatly reduces the number of operators orattendants that are required, and which eliminates the human factor as acause of possible error in passing the material through the hot coatingbath.

A further and more specific object is to provide a novel metal coatingapparatus which comprises a trolley running on a closed overhead railcircuit and driven by a variable-speed electric motor, and a hoist onthe trolley for carrying the work basket and operable by a reversiblevariable-speed electric motor to elevate and lower proved metal coatingapparatusof the foregoing Further objects and advantages will becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a galvanizing apparatus embodying thefeatures of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational View, partially in vertical section, of theoperating run of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section,on an enlarged scale, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and illustratingthe basket handling mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view, partially in longitudinal sectionand on a still larger scale, of one of a plurality of parallel segmentaltrolley wires or conductors forming part of the electrical controlcircuits of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, with the elements shown inexploded relation, of one of. the insulating connections for joining thecontiguous ends of the various segments of the trolley wires.

Fig. 6 is a. transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the trolley and hoistassembly.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the apparatus.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, I

I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail severalembodiments, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend tolimit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but intend to coverall modifications and alternative constructions falling within thespirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the metal coating orgalvanizing apparatus, constituting the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, comprises various operating units for treating thematerial sequentially in the character in which the direction ofrotation of lowing along the supporting rail circuit.

successive steps of a hotdip galvanizing process. 'These operating unitsare arranged in series alignment, and may be conventional in type andconstruction. In the present instance, the units 7, comprise a dryer ID,a galvanizing kettle I l a cen- 1 trifuge l2, a quenching tank l3, and,if desired, an

inspection table or conveyor M. The details of the operating units I0 toIt, per se, form no part of thepresent invention, and hence aredescribed "only in general respects to facilitate understand- J ing oftheir functions in the apparatus. Preferably, all of the units aremounted at suitable levels on a solid foundation [5.

The dryer Ill, in the form shown, comprises a horizontal mesh conveyorl6, preferably of Monel metal, driven by an electric motor ii, a heatingelement l8 over the conveyor and preferably consisting of a steam heatradiator, and a series of overhead fans !9 for directing blasts of hotair from the heating element downwardly through the conveyor tunnel. Thematerial to be galvanized, which may consist at different times ofduplicate workpieces of Widely varying shapes, and sizes, is customarilycleaned in an acid pickling bath and pre-dipped in a flux sourtion, andis then placed on the inlet end of the conveyor I to be dried. The hotair blasts in the dryer it serve to remove surface moisture from thework pieces preparatory to the galvanizing operation.

The galvanizing kettle H may be of any suitable type, and in the presentinstance comprises a long rectangular tank 20 supported on a depressedportion of the foundation l5 at a lower level than the dryer Id, andhaving compartments 2| and 22 respectively in opposite 'end portionsdefined by a stopper or dam 23 and in 'intercommunication beneath thelatter. The first compartment 21 normally contains 'a galvanizing bath24 of zinc covered with'a layer 'or blanket of a suitable fluXing agent,such, for example, as sal ammoniac or 'zinc ammonium chloride. Thesecond compartmentZZ normally contains a clear zinc bath 25, the stopper23projecting downwardly into the zinc sulficiently to confine the layerof flux to the surface of the bath 24. Any suitable heating means,represented at 26, may be provided in the lower portion of the kettle IIto maintain the zinc in a molten state. After the removal of moisture inthe dryer ID, the material or work pieces to be galvanized are takenfrom the discharge end of the conveyor [6, and loaded into a suitablebasket 21 to facilitate handling in the subse uent steps of them:-eration. The baskets for this purpose are usually cylindrical in shape,open at the top, provided with a bail 28, and formed with apertures inthe peripheral and bottom walls to permit free passage therethrough ofthe fluid zinc for surface contact with the work pieces. It will be.under- .stood that after leaving the dryer ii], .the loaded basket '27is transferred to the galvanizing kettle .H, and immersed forpredetermined periods of time first in the bath 24 and then in the bath25 in successive dipping operations. It has been customary heretofore totransport the basket and to 'li'ftit into and out of various operatingunits by manual labor, thus. entailing arduous work under adverseconditions necessitating frequent shutdowns and limiting the size ofbasket that can be used.

The rate of speed .at which the basket 2 is dipped or immersed in thefirst zinc bath .24 should be socontrolledthat any residual moisture.still on or in the work pieces will not becarried downwardly below thesurface layer of flux into the the metallic zinc, but will be drivenoffby the heat 'of the flux. If entrained moisture were to be carried intothe metallic zinc, it would be converted suddenly and violently intosuperheated steam which might cause actual eruption of zinc and :fiuxfrom the kettle :l l, and thus result .in -loss :of :these materials andin injury to any operator or bystander. Such -conditionisal-ways apossibility due to human errors .if immersion is effected-manually.

To obtain both efficientand proper coating of the work pieces with zinc,it is important that 4 after full immersion of the loaded basket 2'! inthe first bath 24, the basket moved along the bath at such a rate ofspeed that the work pieces will have been heated to the temperature ofthe Zinc by the time the basket reaches the discharge end of thecompartment 2|. Such equalization of temperature is necessary to effectproper galvanizing. The time required must be varied .in accordance withthe character and condition of the work pieces, and depends for exampleon the size, shape, thickness, and composition of the material. Hereagain, if translation of the basket along the bath is effectedmanua'lly, the element of human error in judging the time of immersionmay result in nonuniform and unsatisfactory galvanizing.

The centrifuge 12 may be of any suitable construction, and in thepresent instance is shown as comprising a spinner 29 enclosed within ahousing 30 and adapted to receive the loaded basket 21 after removalfrom the bath 25. The spinner 29 is rigidly supported on the upper endof a vertical drive shaft 3| connected through 'a clutch-controlledpower transmission 32 to an electric drive'motor 33. When the basket 21is placed in the centrifuge I3, it is whirled or rotated "at a high rateof speed, and the resulting centrifugal force serves to throw off anyexcess zinc and zinc drippings from the basket and contents.

After having been centrifuged, the basket 2-! containing the nowgalvanized workpieces is lowered into a dumping frame l3a in thequenchtank 13, and the work pieces dumped into a hopper 13b from which'they'fall into a quenching bath, such as water. The hopper I312 is:automatically operable by a discharge mechanism 34 for transferring thefinished work pieces :onto the inspection table -'or conveyor 14, or toany other suitable conveyance.

The present invention resides primarily in the provision of novel poweroperated'means for conveying the loaded basket 21 from the dryer I0along'the line of operation,'and, at predetermined points in the path oftravel, 'liftingand lowering the basket'so as 'to transfer itsuccessively to the zinc baths 2'4 and '25, the centrifuge I2 and thequenching tank I 3, and when emptied back to the initial loadingstation. The controls "for the :powermeans are subject to graduation andselec- .tive adjustment so as to provide in each individual instance thedesired rate of speed'forele- :vating, lowering, and translating thebasket. :In the present instance, the controls-are arranged for :manualactuation at the loading, :centrifuging and quenching stations, and forautomatic actuation during the galvanizingstepsand:duringtherapid'return of the empty basket 'to'the initial starting position.Consequently, the immersion of the work pieces in the zinc .baths isaccurately timed to insure efficient and reliable galvanizing over awide range of operating requirements.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the conveying apparatuscomprises a wheeled carriage or trolley 35 running on an overhead railor track 36, and adapted to be driven b avariable-speed'electricmotor'31 carried therewith.

Supported on'the trolley 35 for movement'therewith is a 'hoist'38 havinga drum 39 operable by 'a'reversible variable-speed electric motor 40,and serving through asuspension cable 4| to elevate and lower asuitablebook 42 adapted to engage the bail 2B of the basket '21.

The monorai136 maybe 01' any suitable form,

Y closed within the case 62.

alisman and extended to define any desired path of travel "providing arun along the various operating units of the galvanizing apparatus.Preferably,the

monorail 36 is in the form of a continuous elon- 'units ll, l2, I3 and I4, and a return run from the unit l4 along the other side back to thestarting point. In sectional form, the rai1 36 may be of I-beamstructure having upper and lower side flanges 44 and 45. A plurality ofhanger members 46, located at regularly spaced points about the railcircuit, are rigidly connected at their lower ends to the upper flanges46 of the rail 36, and adapted to be connected at their upper ends "to asuitable overhead support, such as root trusses or the like (not shown).

A pluralit of bus bars or conductors are supported from and extend alongopposite sides of the rail 36 for supplying current to the motors '31and 48. In the present instance, six of such bus bars 41,48, 49, 58, and52 are provided,

the two bars 41 and 48 being disposed along the 'outside of the rail 36,and adapted to supply current under selective voltage control for thetrolley motor 31, and the remaining four bars 49, 59, 5i and 52extending along the inner side of the rail :and being adapted to supplycurrent reversibly and also under selective voltage control for the"hoist motor 46. The bus bars 41 to 52 preferably are cylindrical in formto constitute trolley wires supported for rolling contact with groovedtrolley wheels 53 to 58 on the carriag 35. To provide suitablesupporting means for the bus bars 41- to 52, a plurality of transverseangle bars 59 extend across the top of the rail 36 at appropri- 'atelyspaced points along the rail circuit, and are rigidly securedintermediate their ends to the upper rail flanges 44. Preferably, theouter ends of the bars 59 are additionally connected by inclined bracemembers 66 to the rail 36. The bus bars 41 to 52 are individuallyconnected in suspended relation to the underside of each of thetransverse bars 59 by means of stand-01f insulators 6|.

The trolley or carriage 35, in its preferred construction, comprises asuitable frame or case 62 having spaced bearing housings 63 at oppositesides of the rail 36. Two pairs of flanged wheels,

64 are fixed on shafts 65 journalled in the bearing housing 63, and arein rolling engagement with the upper surfaces of the lower flanges 45 ofthe rail 36 to support the trolley 35 in suspended position. The drivemotor 31 is connected through a suitable power transmission to the twowheels 64 at one side of the rail to roll the trolley 35 along the railat selective predetermined rates of speed. More particularly, the m0-tor 31 has an armature shaft 66 connected through a belt 61 and pulleys61a and 61b to a worm shaft 68a. A worm 68 on the shaft 68a meshes witha worm wheel 69 .on a shaft 69a connected through a link chain andsprockets 69b 'to a shaft in turn connected through two sets- 'of bevelgears 1| and gears lid in one of the bearing housings 63 respectively tothe related wheel shafts 65. The motor 31 and all mechanical elements ofthe power transmission are enstance, the wheels 53 to 58 arerotatabl-jour-e i0 along the track 36. The lower end of each arm 'is providedwith a lug Bid for attachment of a =m0tor lead wire. The arms 14 and 15.are connected through electric lead wires or lines 82 and 83 in parallelacross the armature 84 and field 85 of th motor '31. In the case of thehoist motor 49, the arms 16 and 11 are connected through lines 86 .and-81 to opposite ends of the field 88, and the arms 18 and 19 areconnected to lines 89 and 99 adapted i to be connected reversiblythrough a limit switch 9| to opposite sides of the armature 92.

To control theespeed of operation of the motors 31 and 48 along or atdifferent sections of the rail circuit, the various bus bars41 to 52,although 2'5 in the form of continuous trolley wires, are eachdivided-into a series of insulated electrical segments, and certainrelated segments are connected in pairs through individual circuits to a"suitable source of electrical energy so as to permit of independentvoltage control. The contiguous ends of the series of conductor segmentsin each trolley wire may be mechanicall connected in any suitable mannerafiording electrical insu- "lation. The segments are made of aconducting material, such as copper tubing. As shown in 'Figs. 4 to 6,the ends of the segments are separated by a cylindrical spacer 93 madeof a suitable insulating material, and having the same 1 outsidediameter as the segments so as to present it) a smooth and uninterruptedconnection over which the associated contact wheel can roll from 1 onesegment to the other. The spacer 93 is formed at opposite ends withreduced cylindrical pilot extensions 93a extending snugly into the is;open bores in the contiguous ends of the conductor segments to maintainthe elements in axial -alignment. The upper side of the spacer 93.v isformed with a longitudinal rib 94 coextensive in length therewith.Opposite ends of the rib .94 so "are fitted into slots 95 formed in theupper sides 1 of the conductor segments. To secure the various 'elementsin rigid assembly, suitable metal clamp plates 96 are bolted againstopposite sides of the end portions of the rib 94, and are formed witharcuate flanges 91 welded to the segments along 1 opposite sides of theslots 95. The plates 96 afford .a convenient means for the attachment ofelec trical lead wires to the segments.

The number and lengths of the conductor seggo ments are determined b thespecific operations to be performed in the galvanizing process.Considering first the travel of the trolley carriage 35, vtrolley wires41 and 48 are interrupted at five 5 points a to e along the operatingside of the loop 35101 circuit to provide insulated segments a-b,

--b-c, c-d, de, and e-a. The first pair of segments 01-19 are located atthe loading station 93 adjacent the discharge end of the dryer [9, the.point a being the starting point of each operating 7 cycle. Thesesegments are normally disconnected from the source of electric current,but are adapted to be connected through manual control whenever thetrolley 35, with a loaded basket-of work pieces suspended on the hook42, is to. be started through the cycle. Electric current; .is

atom-rm adapted to be supplied to the segments s'a-b .irom main lines 88and 99 through master s-switch elements I and a normally open controlswitch #00 adapted to be closed :by means of .a hand actuator 1| 02, thecircuit being from main line -98 through switch :element 100, line1:03,:adjustable rheostat I04, and line I05, to one segment-ab, and frommain line -99 through switch element 1:00,:line I06, control switch I01and .line I01 to the other segment 11-4).

The second :pair of segments b -c extend between the dryer I0 and thegalvanizing kettle IrI, a-nd are constantly energized, theeonnectingrcirunits being ifrom main line 98, through :master switch:element 100 and .line 1 08 to one of the segments, and .from mainline99 through master switch element I00, line 109,, adjustable rheostat H0,and line "III to the other of the segments. "The -rhe'ostats I04 andI'll] are adjustable to vary the speed of the motor 31., andpreterablyare set to move the trolley 35 at a comparativel fast ofspeed. .In starting the operation, the switch 101 is closed and is heldclosed until the trolley wheels 53 and 54 pass from the segments Irb tothe segments -b--o, the latter automati- *cally taking over control toeffect continued -move 'mentof the trolley '35.

fIhe third lpair :of segments :c-fd extend over the galvanizing kettle II and alsoare constantly energized, the connecting circuits being from:main line :98 through (master switch element 100, and .line II2 to oneof :the segments, and from 11min iline *90 through Lmaster switchelement I 00, line 1 13, adjustable .rheosta't H4 and "line -I-I5 tothe'other 0f the segments. As the trolley wheels -53 'and S'A pass fromthe segments b-fc to thesegments c-d, travel 'of the trolley 35 iscontinued automatically but at a rate of speed :rleterrn-ined by thesetting of the rheostat :II- l. Along this section or the rail circuit,the work basket is immersed :in the galvanizing kettle and moved :slowlytherethrough at a, rate providing :sufiicient time for the work 51318085to attain the temperature 'of the zinc bath. Consequently, the rheostatH0 is adjusted to provide a 'commensurately low voltage, and theadjustment may be varied in :accordance with the requirements of thework "pieces, which are determined by such factors as size, :shape,thickness and composition.

The fourth pair of segments d-e extend from the galvanizing ketfle IIalong the centrifuge I2 and quenching tank I3, and arenormally'dewnergized but adapted .for :energiza-tion through manual"control. The connecting circuits "are from mainline 58 throughmaster'switc'h element -=I00,?1ine I'IB, rheosta't II! and Eline -I'If8to one of the segments, and from main .line '99 through master switchelement 100, I lin III'a, .norma'lly opencontrol switch I Isa, and lineI I9 'to'the'other segment. The control switch II-8a adapted to beclosed by means of a hand operator :I20. Tipon movement of the trolleywheels 53 and '54 :from the segments -c-d to the segments d, the trolley35 will come to rest unless the control switch IIfia is closed.Consequently, the trolley 33 can be-moved into position at an pointalong the segments d-e, as, 'for example, into position over thecentrifuge I2 and subsequentlybver the quenching bath I3, b manuallyclosin the control switch I I8a and keeping it closed until the desiredmovement has been effected.

The fifth pair of segments e-a -'extend from the quenching tank I3around the remaining 1portion=of the rail circuit back 'to the startingpoint a, and are constantly energized, the conmeeting circuits being.from .main line -98, through master switch element I00, and .line .12]to one of the segments, andfrom main line 99., through master switchelement I00, line I22, adjustable -rheostat 1-23 and line I24 to theother segment. These segments serve to provide the electric "power :torreturning the basket 21, after having been emptied into the quenchingtank I3, back to the loading station '43 for another load of workpieces. To start the return movement, the switch 8:1 is closed and heldclosed until the trolley wheels 53 and 54 pass from the segments de tothe segments e-a, whereupon the latter automatically takeover control toeffect con- 'tinued movement of the trolley .35 until the wheels runonto the -de-energized segments -a-b. The rheostat I23 in this instanceis adjusted to effect a rapid return movement of the .trolley -35.

The circuits to the motor 3! are momentarily interrupted each time thetrolley wheels 53 and 54 cross one of the insulated points a to e, -butthe momentum of the trolley 35 is suificient .to carry the wheels acrossinto electrical contact with the immediately succeeding conductorsegments.

Considering now the operation of the hoist 38, the trolley wires 49 :to52 are interrupted at nine points, to n, along the operating side of the2100p .or circuit to provide insulated segments jg, 'gh, 'hi, io',.7-lc,lc-Z, Z-m, -m.n, and 11-1 which are correlated inlocation to thesegments (1-4) to ea, so as to control the opera- .tion of the hoist intimed relation to the travel of the trolley.

The first set of segments f-g in the hoist control circuits coincide inlength and position with the segments a-b, and are normally ole--energized, but adapted to be connected to the main lines 08 and 99through manual control circuits for selectively efiecting .forward andreverse operation of the hoist motor 00. More particularly, the upcircuit is from main line 88, switch element I00, line I03, interlockswitch I-25, and line I26 to the pair of segments .f-g .in the trolleywires 50 and 52, and from main .line 99 through switch element !00, lineI06, normally 'open manual control switch 121., and line I28, to thepair-0f segments f-g in the trolley wires 40 and 5t. The down circuit isfrom mainline 98 throng-h switch element I00 and line I03 to the pair ofsegments .j-g in the trolley wires 50 and 5|, and from main line 99through switch element I00, line 106, normally open manual controlswitch I29, and line I30 to the pair of segments j-g in the trolleywires 49 and 52. A magnetic coil -I3I :is connected across the lines 103and I30, and serves when energized to open the interlock switch I25. Thecontrol switches =I-2I and I29 are adapted to be closed by means ofsuitable hand actuators I32 and I33. .It will be noted that the up anddown circuits are the same except that the polarity of the segments jgin the trolley wires -EI and 52 connected to the armature 92 of themotor 40 is reversed. When the trolley 35 is at the loading station 43,switch I29 is closed to effect operation of the hoist motor 40 in adirection to lower the basket 2'I into -convenientposition for loading.After the basket has been 'loaded, the

switch I27 .is closed to reverse the operation of the :motor 40wso as toraise the loaded basket into elevated position.

The switch I01I is now closed to advance the trolley -35 to thegalvanizing kettle I, the basket 9 21 being carried-in a straighthorizontalpath indicated by the dotted line op (see Fig. 2); Since it isunnecessary to operate the hoist 38 during this approach movement, thenext set of segments g--h, are not connected to-the source of electriccurrent, but are dead and disable the circuits for the hoist motor 40.Upon movement of the trolley 35 from the rheostat I30, and line I 31 tothe segments in trolley wires 49 and 52. As a result, the motor 40 willoperate to automatically lower the loaded basket into the inlet end ofthe galvanizing kettle II at the rate determined by the adjustment ofthe rheostat I35. The resultant movement of the basket 27 thus followsthe inclined pq.-

Whi1e'any suitable means may be provided for stopping the motor as whenthe loaded basket 21 has been lowered to the desired level in the zincbath 24 beneath the blanket of flux, the length of the segments h-i isso determined in rela tion to the speed of travel of the trolley.35 andthe speed at which the basket is lowered, that the trolley wheels 55 to58 will pass from the live Sega ments h-i to the segments i:' tointerrupt the motor circuits and thereby .stop the basket at the desiredlevel. The segments are not energized, and extend along the length -.ofthe bath 24. Consequently, in the continued mov ee ment of the trolley35, the basket 21 will be moved at this fixed low level slowly throughthe bath 24 along the path q-r. r

When the basket 21 reaches the dischargeend of the bath 24, the trolleywheels 55 to 58 'will pass from the dead segments z' i successivelyalong the live segments i-k, and kl to the dead segments Z--m, therebyautomatically transferring the basket along the path 1'st from the bath24 over the dam or stopper 23 to the bath 25,

The circuit for energizing the segments j-Ie has a polarity operatingthe motor 40 in the up direction, and is from main line 98, throughswitch element I 00, line 838, rheostat 35 and line I40 to the segmentsin the trolley wires 50 and 52, and from line 99, through switch elementI00, and line I4! to the segmentsin trolley-wires 49 and 5i. The circuitfor the segments Icl reverses the polarity of the motor 40, and is frommain line 99, through switch element I00, line 142, adjustable rheostatI43, and line I44to the segments. in the trolley wires 50 and 5| andfrom main line 99, through switch element. I00 and line I45 to thesegments in the trolley wires 49 and 52. The two sets of segments a'k.and Ic-.l are comparatively short, and the rheostats l39 and I43 areadjusted to eifect operation of the motor 40 at a comparatively highrate of speed so'as'to' obtain aquick transfer of the loaded basket 21from the bath 24 to the bath 25.

i As the trolley wheels 55ito 58 pass from the segments l -l to thedead's'egments l-m, the cir'-. cuit for the motor 40.is interrupted tomaintain the basket 21 at the desired level of immersion in the bath 25as'it is moved by the trolley35 along the path tu to the discharge endof the galvanizing kettle II. '1'

At the discharge end of the galvanizing kettle, the trolley wheels 55 to58 for thehoist motor 40 pass from the dead segments Z-m to the normallydeenergized segments m-n, and the trolley wheels 53 and 54 for thetrolley motor 31 pass from the segments cci to the segments (1-2,- thusstopping the trolley 35 unless and until the manual switch H80: isclosed, as previously described. At this point in the operation, thebasket 21 is adapted to be lifted from the bath 25 by energizing thesegments mn through manual control, the circuit being from main line 98,through switch element 505, line H6, interlock switch I45, and line Milto the segments in trolley wires 50 and 52, and from main line 99,through contact element I00, line I48, normally open manual switch E andline I to the segments in the trolley wires 49 and EI. When the switchM9 is closed, as by the hand operator I5I, the armature polarity is suchthat the motor 40 will operate in an up direction to elevate the basketalong the path u---v.

, In the subsequent travel of the trolley 35 alongthe segments d-e, thehoist motor 20 can be operated at will in either forward or reversedimotion to lower or elevate the basket 2'! as required in thesubsequent steps of the coating operation. .The down circuit for thesegments 7n--n is from line 08, through switch element I00, and line H}?to the segments in the trolley wires 50 and 5 i and from main line 99,through switch element J00, line I48, normally open switch I52 providedwith a hand actuator I53, and line I54 to the segments in the trolleywires 49 and 52. A magnetic coil !55 is connected across the lines 6 andI54, and is adapted, when energized, to open the interlock switch I45.It will be understood that all of the switch elements K00 areincorporated in one master switch for controlling the entire electricalsystem.

- After the loaded basket 21 has been lifted from the galvanizing kettleII or while lifting same, the switch II8a is closed to move the hasketalong the path v-w into centered position over the centrifuge I2. Then,the switch IE2 is closed for a suificient time to lower the basket intothe spinner 29. After the centrifuging operation, the switch I49 isclosed to lift the basket 21 from the centrifuge l2. The switch H80, nowis again closed to move the basket 21 along the path w-x into centeredposition over the quenching tank I 3. Then, the switch 152 is closed tolower the basket 21 into the dumping frame i3a which is operated to dumthe work pieces into the chute I311. The switch E49 is then closed tolift the empty basket from the quenching tank I3. Finally, the switch 8ais closed to cause the trolley 35 to move from the segments c5-e to thesegments e-a which automatically take over control to effect rapidreturn of the trolley with the empty basket to the starting segmentsa--b. The segments n-f are not energized since the basket 21 is carriedin elevated position on the return movement.

It will be evident that I have provided a new and advantageous metalcoating apparatus for translating a loaded work basket and for elevat-.'ing and lowering the basket at predetermined points in" the translationby power means so as to eliminate the arduous manual labor which hasheretofore been required and to reduce the num-' ber of -attendantsrequired to carry out the coatingoperation;

Preferably the operation is subject to manual control at the pointswhere the time required is indeterminate, for example, at the loading,centrifuging, and quenching stations, but is fully automatic in passingthe loaded basket through the galvanizing kettle ii, the basketbeingautomatically lowered and elevated to immerse the work pieces firstin the bath 24 and then in the bath 25, and being traversed in eachinstance through the bath, and the rates of movement be ing subject toadjustment in accordance with the operating requirements. As a result,the hazard normally involved in the dipping operations is eliminated,and these operations are carried out efliciently and with uniformity inrepeated cycles. Since the basket need not be handled manually at anytime, it can be larger than has been considered practicable heretofore,so as to utilize the full galvanizing capacity of the kettle.

I claim as my invention:

1. A conveying apparatus comprising, in com bination, a rail adapted tobe suspended from an overhead support, a trolley supported by said railfor movement therealong, a variable speed electric motor for effectingmovement of said trolley along said rail, a hoist carried by saidtrolley for movement therewith to support a work piece, a reversibleelectric motor for elevating and lowering said work piece, a first pairof trolley wires for supplying electric current to said trolley motor, asecond pair of trolley wires for supplying electric current to the fieldof said hoist motor, a third pair of trolley wires for supplyingelectric current to the armature of said hoist motor, each of said threepairs of tro1- ley wires secured to said rail and extending therealong,each pair of wires comprising a series of axially aligned electricalconducting segments insulated from each other, and forming correspondingpairs of conducting segments, a plurality of individual rolling contactscarried by said trolley and contacting said wires, separate electricoperating circuits connecting the contacts contacting said first, secondand third pairs of wires respectively to the trolley motor, and to thefield and to the armature of said hoist motor, a plurality of individualelectric energizing circuits for connecting said first pairs ofconducting seg ments, for said trolley motor to a source of electricciu'rent, and a plurality of additional electrical energizing circuitsfor connecting certain of said second and third pairs of conductingsegments for said hoist motor with alternately reversed poles of asource of direct current to alternately reverse the direction of currentsupplied to said hoist motor to reverse the direction of rotationthereof, each energizing circuit for said pairs of conducting segmentsfor said trolley motor including an adjustable rheostat for controllingthe motor speed.

2. A conveying apparatus comprising a rail adapted to extend along andto be mounted over; av plurality of operating units arranged in func:tional position, a trolley supported on and, movable along said rail, avariable speed motor carried by said trolley for driving the trolleyalong said rail, an electrical circuit for energization of; the motor todrive said trolley progressively along,

said rail at a succession of pre-selected rates of; speed, said circuitincluding separate closely spaced aligned pairs of conductors extendingalong the length of said rails, means, connecting;

each of said pairs of conductors to a source Qtalso carried by saidtrolley, work elevating and lowering means on said hoist for carrying awork piece, and means for energizing the armature and field of saidhoist motor to selectively operate said work elevating and loweringmeans in predetermined time relation to the movement of said trolley,said means including a pair of condoctors extending along the length ofsaid rail, an operating circuit connecting said conductors to the fieldof said hoist motor, means connecting said conductors to a source ofdirect current, a second pair of conductors extending along the lengthof said rail and divided into a plurality of closely spaced separateinsulated segments, an operating electric circuit for connecting saidsecond pair of conductors to the armature of said hoist motor, and meansindividually connecting each of the segments of said second pair ofconductors to a source of direct current with adjacent segments beingalternately connected to the positive "and negative sides of said sourceof current to reverse the polarity of the armature of said hoist motorto thereby alternately elevate a d lower said workpiece as said trolleyis advanced along said rail.

:3. A conveyor apparatus comprising a monorail extending through aclosed loop and suspended from an overhead support over a series ofunits arranged in functional alignment, said along said rail, a hoistmounted on said trolley for movement therewith and having means forsupporting a work piece, a reversible variable speed electric motor forelevating and lowering said work piece supporting means, a plurality orpairs of trolley wires extending in closed loops around said rail andeach pair comprising a series of closely spaced aligned parallelelectrical conducting pairs of corresponding segments insulated fromeach other, means for supporting said trolley wires from said rail, anindi-v vidual electrical contact for each wire supported bysaid rail,electric-operating circuits connecting the contacts for one paircf wiresto. the trolley motor, electric operating circuits connecting thecontacts for the other pairs of wires to the arma-. ture and fieldoi'said hoist motor, and a plurality of individual electric energizingcircuits for conheating certain ofsaid conducting segments respectivelyto a source of electric current, each energizing circuit including anadjustable impedance for controlling the impressed voltage, certain ofSaid energizing circuits being closed to constantly energize theassociated segments, the remainder of said energizing circuits beingnormally open and adapted to be closed at, the energizing circuits forsuccessive pairs of segments connected to said armature beingalternately reversed in polarity to alternately raise an lower saidwork. pportin means as the trolley is. advanced, along the rail.

4 conveyor adapted for advancing work h ugh a a ng apparatus, compris na t ack. a, trolley carried, by said. track for movement therealqne. meus. foradvapcing said trolley along aid r s a ho st carried by satrolley and. hav n work levating and lowering means. areversible'variable speed motor tor driving said ho st e evate or low rsai ork ele atin and awerine means a. first. pair of conductorsinsu'latedly carried by said track and extending along the lengththereof for electrically energizing the field of said hoist motor, asecond pair of conductors for energizing the armature of said hoistmotor, each of said conductors being divided into aligned closely spacedsegments separated by insulating gaps, and forming corresponding pairsof conducting segments, and individual control circuits for said pairsof segments, said circuits including additional conductors connectingthe segments of said pairs of conductors to a source of direct currentto energize the field and armature of said hoist motor, the additionalconductors connecting said second pair of conductors to said sourcebeing each alternately connected to the positive and negative poles ofsaid source of current to successively reverse the polarity of thearmature and the direction of rotation of the hoist motor, therebyalternately elevating and lowering the Work supporting means as thetrolley is advanced along said track.

5. A conveyor adapted to control movement of work in horizontal andvertical planes which comprises an overhead looped horizontal track, atrolley suspended on said track, a hoist on said trolley, worksupporting means carried by said hoist, a variable speed electric motorcarried by said trolley for advancing the trolley along the track, areversible electric motor for driving the hoist.to raise and lower saidWork supporting means, two sets of conductors extending along saidtrack, each of said conductors being composed of a plurality of alignedclosely spaced segments, separate circuits for energizing the segmentsof said conductors, and contactors on the trolley connecting one set ofconductors with the motor for driving the trolley and the other set ofconductors with the motor for driving the hoist, said circuits includingmeans for connecting the individual segments of said one set ofconductors to a source of electrical energy, an adjustable impedance forcontrolling the impressed voltage in said one set of conductors andthereby the speed of travel of said trolley, means for alternatelyconnecting the individual se ments of said other set of conductors tothe positive and negative poles of a source of direct current toalternately reverse the polarity of current introduced into thereversible hoist motor, thereby elevating and lowering the worksupporting means of the hoist while said trolley is advanced along saidtrack.

FREDERICK C. BRIGHTLY, JR.

REFERENCES CITED lfhe following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 716,033 Harding Dec. 16, 1902809,799 Harding Jan. 9, 1996 904,788 Libby Nov. 24, 1908 904,789 LibbyNov. 24, 1908 1,124,785 Monto Jan. 12, 1915 1,694,084 Straight Dec. 4,1928 1,953,783 Stone Apr. 3, 1934 2,127,085 Matthes Aug. 16, 19382,156,636 Miller May 2, 1939 2,229,492 Christensen et a1. Jan. 21, 19412,254,285 Harris et a1 Sept. 2, 1941 2,358,116 Wehr Sept. 12, 19442,382,194 Wood Aug. 14, 1945 2,391,881 Clay Jan. 1, 1946 Spafford May28, 1946

